All eyes in the pavilion turned to Fang Yuan.
There was a beat of silence before Senior He coughed gently into his sleeve.
"Young Master Fang… is something the matter?"
Fang Yuan blinked as he realised what he had done.
He had been staring at thin air just now because it was no longer just air.
In front of his eyes, invisible to everyone else, perhaps, floated a translucent golden panel.
[Heavenly Clan Building System Activated.]
Welcome, Host: Fang Yuan.
Synchronizing spiritual signature…
Binding completed.
Congratulations, cultivator! Your path to dominance begins now.
His mind buzzed at the thought of it... It was a system! A real one at that!
He wasn't just hallucinating about it. This wasn't one of those strange dreams from his early transmigration days.
No, this was it. The cheat. The golden finger!
The thing every transmigrator from Earth dreamed of when waking up in a strange, mystical world with spirit roots and sword-beaming lunatics.
It had finally arrived.
Late, yes. Thirty years too late. But who cared?
Better late than never!
Still, he needed to make up for his abrupt shouting.
He composed himself instantly, clearing his throat as a small smile returned to his lips. He raised his wine cup high and laughed, refined and effortless.
"Ah, forgive me, seniors," he said smoothly. "I was simply… overcome with joy. Thirty years old and finally standing strong under the heavens, surrounded by venerable guests and honored friends. I'm truly... blessed."
The crowd exchanged uncertain glances.
Senior Lin narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that so? You startled us for a moment, Clan Head Fang."
Fang Yuan chuckled again and waved dismissively. "I assure you, Senior Lin, it was nothing more than sentimentality. We cultivators don't always show it, but... even we have hearts, no?"
Senior Lin chuckled inwardly, the corners of his eyes crinkling just so.
To exclaim joy by shouting "what"? Hmph. Who would believe that? As expected… still young and impulsive.
To his left, Senior Wu observed Fang Yuan with a pleasant smile, calm as still water.
Yet behind that facade, his thoughts were sharp and cutting. Is this fool really the one who always outmaneuvers us? Where does his cunning come from? He looks like a startled goat. He can't even mantain proper decorum as a distinguished family head.
Meanwhile, Senior Zhao and Senior He merely sipped their tea in practiced silence, betraying nothing.
Their eyes, half-lidded and serene, offered no judgment but their indifference spoke volumes.
Laughter rose again, softer this time, hesitant but accepting.
Yet in the depths of Fang Yuan's pupils, something had shifted.
He wasn't listening to them anymore.
[New Feature Unlocked: Quest Tab.]
[Host. You have unread mails.]
[Open them for tasks and rewards.]
His fingers trembled ever so slightly behind the folds of his robe.
Quest systems, tasks and who could forget... the rewards!
Fang Yuan heart thundered with anticipation.
He had fought for years with only wit, caution, and mortal planning.
But now—
Now the heavens themselves had tilted the board on his side.
Fang Yuan's eyes flicked across the golden panel still hovering faintly in his mind's eye.
His fingers twitched only for a moment before he stopped, now was not the time for this.
With practiced ease, he exhaled through his nose and gently dismissed the interface with a mental flick, pushing the excitement into the deepest chambers of his soul.
He straightened his posture, rebalancing his expression into something effortless and serene.
"A marvelous evening, Senior Zhao," Fang Yuan said, his voice smooth.
"The weather today truly favors celebration. Perhaps your clan's offering to the heavens last solstice brought us this calm breeze?"
Senior Zhao, ever reserved, inclined his head mildly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps the heavens are simply smiling upon your thirty years of peace, Clan Head Fang."
"Unless the Divine Ice Sect itself descends, nothing will shake this place," Senior Wu added in jest.
From another corner, Senior He muttered a chuckle into his teacup.
The atmosphere returned to its measured flow, curt nods, harmless jests, mutual observations on Coldwind's trade routes and the seasonal spirit herb bloom.
But just as the surface smoothed—
Pat-pat-pat
The hurried sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside.
Following a beat later, a girl in sky-blue robes darted into the hall, her silken sleeves fluttering and her long black hair barely pinned in place.
The music stuttered and the crowd turned to take a look at the newcomer. Followed by the idle whispers from the guest.
"Who dares to interrupt the banquet?"
"Is that… a servant girl?"
"No manners…"
"Who let her in here?"
Fang Yuan, however, smiled warmly.
He stepped slightly forward, voice carrying with a calm that silenced the murmurs.
"Oh? Fang Mei, why are you in such a hurry?"
The girl halted, cheeks flushed with excitement.
She clasped her hands before her chest and bowed briefly before raising her head with bright eyes.
"Brother!" she called out.
The room stilled.
Shock swept through the guests like a silent gale.
Brother?
Did she just call the family head of the Fang clan—Brother?
Even Senior Lin's wine cup paused halfway to his lips.
"Brother," she continued, her voice clear and ringing through the hall, "the entourage of the Divine Ice Sect has arrived. They request an audience with you."
A stillness swept through the pavilion.
It was as if the world itself took a breath and forgot to exhale.
For a moment, even the wind halted.
The Divine Ice Sect.
One of the most powerful sects in the entire Tharz Kingdom, a true colossus that stood above countless clans and factions like an immortal palace in the clouds.
Their disciples alone were worth more than armies. And their elders were said to be at the Golden Core realm at least.
No one had expected them here.
Not at a small family banquet, in a mid-tier city like Coldwind.
The seniors of the four great families—the He, Zhao, Lin, and Wu—stiffened in their seats.
Their eyes narrowed as they all turned, almost in unison, to study Fang Yuan.
There was no hostility yet but there was something sharper than swords.
What sort of relationship does the Fang Clan have with the Divine Ice Sect?
Did they forge some alliance in secret?
Behind their elegant expressions, countless thoughts raced.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was still looking at Fang Mei.
His expression remained serene, poised. A picture of dignified calm.
But inside, he was also screaming.
The Divine Ice Sect!? Here!?
What the hell do they want with my birthday!?
I didn't even send them an invitation!
Is this what they mean by fortune and misfortune come together?
His mind whirled as fast as he could.
This has to be a mistake... right? Did they take a wrong turn? Are they lost!? Ah perhaps they are.
He blinked slowly, as if pondering something trivial.
Then he offered Fang Mei a small nod.
"Very well," he said, voice even. "Invite them in. Let us not keep such distinguished guests waiting."